Mr. Hill to Mr. Raikes.

No. 2502.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose for your information a copy of a dispatch (written in Washington) from the consul of the United States in Gaudeloupe, giving a general account of his acts performed for British subjects after the distressing death of His Majesty’s consul at Martinique; the late James Japp.

I have, etc.,

David J. Hill,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure.]

Mr. Aymé to the Department of State.

Sir: I have the honor to report that while assuming charge of British interests in Martinique, from May 11 to June 9, in the absence of any diplomatic or consular officer of Great Britain in that colony, consul Japp having perished in the catastrophe of May 8, which destroyed St. Pierre, I performed the following official acts and services:

I viséed manifests and gave vessels bound for British ports certificates to take the place of bills of health. These services were rendered gratis, no fee being charged or collected.

May 17, with a guide, I went to the ruins of the British consulate, and there found remains believed to be those of Consul James Japp. I provided a metallic casket, incased in wood, and an attempt was made May 19 to recover the body. Captain Campbell, of H. B. M. cruiser Indefatigable, accompanied the expedition, and has doubtless reported fully to his Government in the matter.

[Page 539]

I endeavored to assist and ameliorate the condition of such British subjects as I found in the hospitals, particularly C. C. Evans, of Montreal, Canada, and little Margaret Stokes and her nurse, Clara King, both of Barbados. Mr. Evans was taken to New York, May 81, on the U. S. S. Dixie, through the kindness, of Captain Berry and the officers of that vessels, who assumed all expenses connected therewith, mess bills, etc.

Margaret Stokes, a 9-year old child, was the sole surviving member of a family of four, her mother, sister, and brother having perished on the Roraima. That she was saved was due first to the devotion of her nurse, Clara King, and subsequently to the bravery and devotion of Lieutenant Du Plessis of the French vessel of war Suchet. This gentleman personally rescued both child and nurse from the blazing wreck of the Roraima; he gave them his cabin and was assiduous in his attentions to them; when they were transferred to the hospice at Fort de France he made daily visits there, devoting his whole shore leave to these visits, as the hospice is a considerable distance from the landing pier. He brought them fruit and other delicacies, and all of these acts were performed so modestly and quietly that I did not learn of them for many days. When the little girl’s uncle, Mr. J. S. Croney, of Barbados, came to take her away I took him on board the Suchet, In addition to Mr. Croney’s thanks I, as acting British representative, had Lieutenant Du Plessis summoned to the captain’s cabin and formally thanked him for his kindly and gracious conduct, adding that, if possible for me so to do, I would communicate my action to His British Majesty’s Government, which would doubtless amply confirm and approve it.

I must also report that Mr. Croney was called upon to pay hospital expenses amounting to $64; $1 a day for child and nurse, each, for twenty-eight days and $8 for a special English-speaking attendant I found it necessary to employ. Mr. Croney was much annoyed at being called upon to pay the hospital bill. The following day the mayor of Fort de France returned the money with an ample explanation and many regrets that the error of charging anything should have occurred. I have forwarded the money to Mr. Croney, who is a very well to do, if not wealthy, merchant and Government contractor of Barbados.

When leaving Martinique I informed the acting governor that until His Britannic Majesty’s Government should act there was no official or acting representative thereof in the colony.

It is a matter of deep regret to me that I could not succeed in rescuing the remains of our late consul nor any of the archives of the consulate. All were buried under many feet of volcanic mud and ejecta.

The courteous message of the governor of the Windward Islands, and still more the appreciative note forwarded to me from the Marquis of Lansdowne through His Britannic Majesty’s embassy in this capital, are ample reward for the slight services I may have been able to render.

I have, etc.,

Louis H. Aymé, United States Consul.